I Regret Ever Leaving ACN But….-TUNDE BRAIMOH

Hon. Babatunde Braimoh is one of the powers that be in the political circle, not only in Lagos but throughout the nation and this is due to his privileged comradeship as an erstwhile member of the lower chamber of the National Assembly, Federal House of Representatives. A renowned member of the Nigeria Bar Association, the high profile politician was in his best form when he spoke to News Editor, Faith Irabor recently. You would enjoy the interview.

  A lot of people have been wondering why your sudden low profile lifestyle?

I am still around and still go out when I should, though everything has to be with modesty and moderation. Like you know I am a Lawyer and I`ve been at the bar for over twenty five years now, so I have been around and I am still in politics.

I was going to ask about that aspect too?

Yeah, what people fail to realize is what you just mentioned. I mean people believe I am not relevant politically just because I am not holding any political post. Sometimes circumstances of life dictate that you may have to step aside for others to have their own turns but that is not to say that you are out, even if you’re down. And what I know is once the quest for service is there, it will come to pass, it’s only a matter of time and my own quest have stood the test of time, so I can never be frustrated. This has been part of me from my childhood days.

Let’s talk about growing up?

Yeah growing up was fun, it was exciting and interesting. You won’t believe that I have always love politics from time, I mean as early as my primary school days and I have always been active, it even contributed to my peculiar brilliance because I was always the class captain of my class. When I got to secondary school, my brilliancy dropped because I lost some years in the early ages to some sicknesses so I didn’t finish when I ought to and it affected me. I didn’t even read Primary six, I didn’t even do well in my early stages of secondary school so I lost the leadership though still active in other areas. I lost captainship in my class but not in my hostel, so these things were always there. People look at me for decisions on critical matters at that stage, so it materialized clearly when I got to my HNC class then. I attended the College of Art and Science in the then defunct Oyo state now Osun State. That was when my leadership status was clearly defined, I didn’t run for any election per se. I also attended Ogun State University.

In other words Politics has always been part of you?

Yes, I have been doing it since then and I remember nominating  people for various posts including the post of the hostel chairman, I have always prefer to champion while somebody else would be there. I was observing and evaluating issues.

Presently you’re not in active politics, are you coming out in 2015 for any post?

I cannot tell.

Why?

Because I don’t want to tell and because I have other focus and I am also a responsible leader in my community and  Chief in several communities apart from my Otunba title, I am also a leader in the Mosque in my community.

But I don’t think that should hinder you?

Yes, I am just telling you why I cannot confirm my 2015 political ambition. I am also a father of young kids as well as a husband to a pretty wife, in a nutshell am a very busy man. I am a lawyer, entrepreneur, a father, husband and leader.

What if an appointment comes?

I have not said am not running for election, all am just saying is that, I have other focus and besides it’s not every time that one must occupy a political seat. Okay take for example if an election is coming in 2015, I would start campaigning in 2011 or 2012, then I am not serious. I have things to do, even if I have all the wealth in the world, there must be a purpose to which I must channel the wealth. Besides I have limited wealth, and they are being competed for by a lot of responsibilities. What I will just say is even if I can tell, I will not tell, that’s the truth of the matter.

Okay even if you will not tell and you’re running in the next election, will it be under ACN this time?

Of course! You know I have done that before and I regretted every step I took out of ACN. Because we thought there was no ideology but we now know that Ideology is not about anything that is clearly defined, it may not be in Nigeria`s context, but it is a flock, a togetherness, of same bird fellows and that’s the truth. Most of my mates are in the ACN and when I left and went out of it, I was like a fish out of the water and I knew it and regretted it.

But why did you leave in the first place?

Yeah, I and a whole lot of people left because we felt there were no clear ideology, if you would observe most of the people that came from PDP to ACN had left back too to their natural habitat and hibernation, an example is big names like Atiku Abubakar. We just felt there was no clear ideology and anybody could be anywhere, what matters is your mission and your person but it’s very clear now that you have your soul mates politically. For example they would make you rich in the PDP if that’s your goal but at the same time, they will destroy you immediately you have any issues with them and even worse than when you joined them but in ACN, we are not a party of very rich people, but they will develop you intellectually, physically and in leadership qualities, that you can even rise from the position of Counsellorship to the president if opportunity permits, it’s a kind of capacity building even if there are no immediate returns as someone in a political office. All these are now clear to all of us.

 So do you still attend the regular party meetings in your constituency?

Of course, I am a very big leader in my constituency. We have our meetings from time to time I even had to escape from a meeting to be here.

So how do you find time to relax?

Well it’s not easy but we are coping.

What would be your major priority peradventure you are in any political office again?

It would be to give the greatest happiness to the greatest number of people, welfares, live and let live, I want to be rich and I won’t pretend about that, like some people would claim but this is me that have not been in power for about ten years and I don’t think poverty smells around me, I think reasonably, I have demonstrated that I can take care of myself. People that made mistake of evaluating me because they do not know me before I got into power, they’ve had the opportunity of knowing me after I left power. I am still in the lime light, I ride good cars, I live in good houses and I wear good clothes, that’s what I want for every Nigerian. I don’t want to wear tattered clothes, live under the bridge and will not pretend that poverty is sweet, there is nothing good about poverty. The necessity of life must be available to all and sundry.

What to you are the bases of life like you’ve mentioned?

Feeding, Healthcare services, clothing, decent accommodation and of course education, these are the five basics things that must be available to all and sundry, that is my priority.

What is your philosophy about death?

From the earth we came from there we shall return. When my time comes nobody can stop it. I don’t believe anybody can kill me with all that I have seen but I believe that when the time comes even if I don’t go out, if I am to die inside I will die, no person gave me my life, no person can take it except the Almighty Allah and I believe death must come, we only tend to forget. When you see people who are lucky to have been advanced in age forgetting that they would die, but I don’t forget.

The year is running to an end, are there any outlined targets that you still hope to achieve?

The truth is, I don’t outline anything because man proposes and God disposes, when you set goals for yourself, it must be dangerous, I am already hypertensive, I have high blood pressure, I am a patient of hypertension so I don’t work like that. I take things as they come, there is nothing I can outline.

Finally what would you want to be remembered for?

Somebody that came, that lived a life. Living a life is very important, to me when you are alive you must live by example, you must be a model a nd people must be able to watch you and I thank God that by and large I have been able to achieve that. My birthdays are never planned, but people who believe in me celebrate my birthdays including the high and mighty. I feel so humbled and honoured, I thank God that even on earth, I am being remembered.

My Parents` Break-Up Push Me To Music-G-lory

She`s on the verge of breaking loose to proof the stuff she`s made of in the Nigeria`s flourishing entertainment world. That’s Glory Bonsjak, a.ka G-lory-a drop dead beauty who`s the newest bomb waiting to explode in the music industry. Calving a niche of uniqueness in her genre of music which she called, Pop House, there`s no doubt that, there`s a big vacuum and windows of opportunity for the talented song writer, composer and singer who studied music in Switzerland. She spoke with Editor on her background, life and plans for the music world.  

Can we have your background?

My name is Glory Bonsjak, stage name G-lory I’m from Delta State, Warri.

Can we know more, your maiden name, educational background?

Yeah, I was born in Warri and I grew up in a family of six, three boys and two sisters, I’m the number fifth of my family and I did my studies in Delta State, my Primary and Secondary school; then I moved to Lagos met my husband then moved out of the country and I studied Music in Milano.

That means you got married immediately after school? 

Yeah, I started life early, I got married at eighteen (laughs)

Wow that’s interesting

Yeah

So when was this?

I met him at eighteen and we got married when I was twenty, I think

What year did you get married?

The year 1999

What did you study abroad?

Music, though I only sing because it was very difficult for me to play any instrument so I learnt writing lyrics and just music

Ok what’s your maiden name?

Ok my dad’s name is Ridge, my great grand dad is from Britain and my father’s mother is Itshekiri

So you`re a quarter caste?

Yeah

Wow! So what’s daddy doing?

Daddy and mum are late, they are in heaven right now but daddy was a business man, he was a ship charter as well, he used to work in the ship when he was younger then he went into Real Estate you know and I guess life caught up with him when he separated from my mother, it was very difficult for my mum, as she had to raise six children by herself and that kind of push me to face life at a very young age, I felt like I was responsible for the rest of my siblings even if most of them were older than me and that deprived me sort of, yeah, I didn’t had the opportunity to kind of study in the University which if I didn’t regret anyway, I wouldn’t want to change anything now because I think I am happy with where I am right now, I read very well, I write very well I think I am blessed that’s what I’ll say; but I had to take on from my mother so I studied music to get me to where I want to go because this is the thing that I wanted to do in my life.

Despite that, there would still be something left to adjust, no how?

If there would be anything, it would have been to keep my mother and father back together, things would have been better but as a child you never really understand, they never really tell you what is going on and we always felt it was our fault, that’s why they kind of break up. Now that I am married and have my own kids I understand relationship better and is not everything that I want to let my kids know or even if there is any issue at all I wouldn’t want my kids to see that. So I guess my parents didn’t want us to see any of it until things really got out of hand and we started seeing things because he drank a little bit too much

Your dad?

Yes and he was a fantastic father and still he`s to me till today, he will always be my father may his soul rest in peace but you know people get caught up with life

Good, what would you say you learnt from your parents` break up story?

It broke us because when my dad left, we suffered, my dad was very wealthy and when he left my mother, my mother had to struggle for six children

Did he take another wife?

Yes, he married another wife and had couple of other kids out there and they had to share us; I remembered my sister and I, Blessing she lives in Switzerland, my dad took me and her and left the rest for my mother and my step-mother  was very horrible to us and she treated us like slaves, she gave us food from a little plate like she was feeding her dogs and when we do something wrong, I mean we were kids, kids do silly things at times but that doesn’t mean you have to kind of lock them up in a store, she will leave us there for quite some time, it was a terrible experience for us. So my sister and I started selling, we were very creative so when we were coming back from school, we used to pick clothes (materials) that tailors have used and we`ll sew it into bobby clothes and we were selling those clothes because at that point my dad did not care how we eat or what goes on with us, he was just in control of my step-mother and she wasn’t very nice to us, so we sold those clothes and the kids around the block will come and buy them for their dolls, my sister and I were having some money from time to time, so we used to miss school just to go find our mum to see her, I could remember one day, we begged her to come and take us, that we were suffering, we were not happy and I used to always get into fight in school to protect my sister, you know she had this scar as child in one of her eyes, so kids always making fun of her and I used to always get into fight (laughs) just to protect her.

You know music is booming right now in Nigeria, what differentiates your kind of music from others here?

Yeah, I think I love Nigerian music, the afro stuff is fantastic, I tried it but it didn’t really work out for me, I realized that the only way my music can actually succeed is doing what I do best, being myself, you know I get inspiration from within, so I do my own kind of music, pop house.

That’s what you play, pop house

Yes, pop house and I can sing anything, any kind of music but I find it a little bit harder to sing in pidgin English not that I don’t know how to speak and talk in pidgin English like am from Waffi but it is difficult for me to sing in pidgin English you know it just doesn’t flow the way I would like to express

Ok good, you`re very sexy and weird on stage where did you get your signature from?

Thank you (laughs) you know I try not to accept the fact that I have two kinds of personality, when I am on stage I’m totally different. My real name is Glory, Glory is very conservative, she is calm, she is very family oriented but G-lory is wild and when I’m on stage, I am G-lory and I just don’t care, I just want to entertain.

What turns you on, on stage, like I know musicians do marijuana, spirits, cigarette and so on?

I used to smoke, I used to be really crazy back in the days when I was younger, I ‘m still young though, I wouldn’t tell that I haven’t tried marijuana in the past, it was just not something that I liked because I like to always be on my toes, I like to be aware of what happens around me I like to be in control, I like to feel like I’m a leader, so I don’t need all those things, am already crazy enough, I don’t need all those things again, I mean that marijuana thing is something I tried just like that, I felt I almost went crazy and I promised myself not to try it again.

So what exactly do you take now?

No, I only drink socially when I’m out and because over the years I kind of found out that am always having continuous pain in my legs the next day if I drink alcohol, so now I don’t mix my drink, and I don’t go out all the time, I`ve tried to find out which of the drink will not give me this legs hangover again, but all of them has hurt my legs until I started liking Hennessey, I know it’s really strong but I try to keep it moderate.

People believe artistes are flirt is that true?

Yeah, most artistes are flirt, but no, I think artistes in general, they are artistes, they are entertainers so every artiste gets to flow, you know, not that they are flirting, yes everybody flirt but not flirting to be in your face like that, but people love to love artistes and artistes love to love their fun (laughs).

How long have you been an artiste?

I first sang when I was 8 years old in church.

Let’s say professionally

Professionally for about 10 to 12 years but I stopped for 4, 5 of that years to stick to the family front and just a year and half ago almost 2 years now, I kind of got back.

In the course of your profession have you falling in love with any of your fan?

No I love my fans, I love when people show support.

Ok will you date your biggest fan?

I am married, I don’t need anybody else, I have the man of my dream, my husband loves me and he takes care of me now, you know I travel a lot, it actually takes a wonderful man like him to actually be in support of me travelling, I don’t need anybody else.

Your husband is not always with you

I travel yeah, we live in Switzerland but most of the time I have to be here, I have to be in the State or England or in France.

But is he waiting?

My husband is a big business man.

Ok how do you manage the private life?

When I’m in Switzerland… Oh gosh… am not going to talk about my sex life but we had a great sex life.

Ok what`s your dream for G-lory as a brand?

As a brand? Gosh! my dream is to run the music world, you know I see myself everywhere, I want my face to be everywhere, I actually have plans that I’m working on right now by the grace of God when I get to that place that I need to go, you know lots of people do charity stuff where you go for the homeless, needy kids and especially the infants. I will actually like to be there for those boys on the street, those boys they don’t have anybody for them and a lot of them they do crazy things, they don’t believe anybody really love or care for them, am really looking for a way how it can work out, what you know can be given back to them so that somebody can show them love. People do go to school to get degree or something but if you are not street smart, you cannot really do anything. And those boys, most of them can read but you know I would like one day to have that opportunity to kind of help most of them to get education, I mean join with their street smart gosh.

Nice one. You are very charming and beautiful what is your beauty routine?

My beauty routine, I’m very picky I kind of like to say that I’m multi talented in many things, I do a lot of things myself I’m very picky about who does what for me, so when it comes to my hair and style, I used to own and I still do it but it’s music that kind of taking more of my time these days, I used to sell human hair, I still do it so the Brazilian, Indian, Caribbean kind of hair and it`s called Hair Diva, so I like to say I’m a hair diva (laughs)… and so I like to have my particular look and people(clients) identify me and they want a particular look and I had to provide it for them so even when I have my stylist come to get my hair done, I tell her what to do because I know what I want.

But that’s hair, your skin?

My skin I take very good care of it.

Do you gym or work out?

I work out but I think since I got back and we moved to my new home, I have just been busy with stuffs and I think moving, carrying stuff is really heavy enough but yes I go to the gym.

What has life taught you?

It`s been adventurous and life has taught me how to be a woman, how to be strong, courageous.

What would you like to be remembered for?

My music, message from my music.

Do you believe in life after death?

Yes I’m very spiritual.

What church do you attend?

I go to the Redeem Church in Lekki, I believe in God, I’m a Christian and I dream a lot and I pray a lot, I cannot do anything without God.  it’s only the strength of God that can take to anywhere, that’s why I’m where I am today. I never thought I could actually pick up after my mum died of cancer and followed by my dad just immediately.

The same thing?

No, yeah well, he died of liver failure but it’s the grace of God that’s why they will always be remembered.

Where are your other siblings?

My elder sister, Faith Ridge, she is an actress and lives Chicago and my immediate senior she`s in Switzerland, Geneva and I have my younger brother, Emmanuel with me and we are very close, we are like twins, it`s three boys three girls so he`s kind of like my partner and the other boys and older brothers they live in Delta.

It`s been nice talking to you?

Same here thanks for your time.

I Inherited My Curvy Shape From Mum-DANIELLA OKEKE

She’s one of the sexiest fast rising actresses in the movie industry, thanks to her nice curves that commands a second look any day. That’s the pretty screen diva, Daniella Chioma Okeke, the sultry actress who has starred in flicks like Show Me Heaven, Indecent Desire, The Evangelists, Rush Hour, True Confession and a host of others took a break from what she love doing for some time and recently returned with three movies about to be released. In this interview, she reveals to Enquirer’s Faith Irabor why she was off the scene, her blossoming love life and other interesting issues. Please come along.

You’re looking so radiant, what’s been happening to you?

(Laughs) Thank you very much my sister. I have been fine, I have been okay. You know I took a break for a while but I am back now and just finished two jobs in Festac now. I am also working on my own movie. It should be out before the end of this year, 2012.

But you’ve not told us the reason behind the break, or could it be because the scripts were not longer coming?

No o, and remember I told you that I just concluded shooting two movies. I actually went back to school.

Tell us about it?

I schooled in Delta State. I mean I had my primary, secondary and University there. I went to Delta State University where I studied Fine & Applied Arts and major in Graphics Art. I also did a little bit of Theater Arts, so I took a break because I went back to do a course in Film Making.

So you are not affected by the general recession going on in the movie industry just like we have prominent executive producers who have not been shooting films?

Well I will speak for myself, I am honestly not affected though the income or finance may be partly responsible for the reasons some executive producers no longer shoot movies the way they used to. 

What about the perception that actresses compete too hard these days to over shadow each other?

No, I don’t think so. I as an actress have not been too long in the industry to see where I will be ready to allow anyone over shadow me because I have my unique selling point which differs from that of my colleagues. A star is a star and sky is big enough for the birds to fly and if you’re good in what you do, you will surely have your position intact. If you’re talented and it’s obvious, just know that nobody can change that and same thing applies for me.

You’re trying to return to what you love doing, could that be the reason for your new look and curvy shape?

Really? (laughs) anyway thanks.

What can we attribute this to?

Well it’s just in my gene though I try to ensure I stay away from junk food and also work out a lot and I take a lot of water now than before and above all I also exercise a lot.

Can you still remember some of the memorable movies you’ve featured in?

Waoh! That’s a task oh. Anyway I still appreciates my roles in Indecent desires, Show me Heaven, the Evangelist, Rush Hour, Sleek Ladies 1&2, Stronger than Pains 1&2  and a host of others.

Who would you say are your favourites in the movie industry?

Truthfully I have actors I respect in the movie industry especially among my older colleagues and some of the new ones. I won’t want to mention names here because I don’t want to sound like I am offending anyone but they know themselves and besides everyone of my colleagues both the old and new ones are fantastic in their own way.

So any particular embarrassing moment so far?

Well I won’t call them embarrassment per se. You know when you’re in the public glare, you tend to make some sacrifices. You know it could be funny at times when some fans would just run into me and want me to have known them for ages just jumping all over me and wanting my details while some would just beef you for no reason all because they see your face on screen.

What are your favourite meals?

I am not the very choosy person when it comes to that aspect though I like vegetables and any light meal. I also like fruits a lot too.

How do you relax?

I like to relax with my friends even though I have not gotten too many like that. We hang out once in a while when I am not on set or busy. I also like relaxing at home with my family watching movies.

Where are you from?

I am a proper Igbo babe o, from Imo State to be precise.

So who’s rocking your world because it would be difficult to convince me that there’s no man in your life considering your present glowing look?

Yeah I am in a relationship and I am very happy though I don’t know when I am settling down yet.

That’s nice, has he proposed?

No he hasn’t yet.

But would you say yes if he does?

Of course! I will because I love my man a lot.

Can you tell us the attraction?

He’s a wonderful guy and he’s very different from the kind of men that would want to date you because you’re an actress. He adores me and respects me as his woman.

What does he do for a living and was he married before you met him even if he’s now separated?

No! my man has never been married, he’s one hundred percent single just as I am too. Then concerning what he does for a living, I won’t divulge more than I have just done. He’s a responsible Nigerian and whatever he is into is legitimate.

So what message do you have to pass across to your fans that have missed you?

Yeah, they should stay tuned and expect a lot of movies from Daniella Okeke. Then I want to use this medium to thank them for their messages on facebook, twitter and the rest. I am coming back with a bang so they should just chill and wait. 

It`s been nice talking to you

Same here, thanks so much for your time.